Tokyo Joe Survived a Hit and Turned Informant

In his days as a mobster, Ken Eto was referred to as Tokyo Joe. He oversaw the Asian gambling ring in Chicago, and in the 1980s, when he turned on his friends, he assisted the FBI in jailing 15 mobster.

Eto's about-face started after he was charged with federal gambling offenses. Eto was a threat that mob leaders did not want to be around. They weren't mistaken. The mobster was prepared to go to any lengths to survive because he had experienced Japanese internment camps as a young man. After Eto was released from prison in 1983, the syndicate ordered a hit on him.

Eto was approached by two hit men in his parked car. At point blank range, they fired three shots into his head before walking away. Of course, neither of the men thought to check Eto for a pulse because who can survive three head shots? Ken Eto and John Veasey both did, in fact.

Eto turned informant after realizing his options were constrained. He provided evidence against politicians, mob figures, and even Chicago's chief of police. At the age of 84, Eto passed away in 2004. Since becoming an informant, he had been residing in witness protection.

Born: October 19, 1919

Died: January 23, 2004